Our matriarch, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, friend, and neighbor, has left us. Charlotte Niklas died March 30, 2019 in Helena at the age of 107.
Charlotte was born in Helena on July 6, 1911, the daughter of Lena Rabe Zoeller and Emil P. Zoeller. She attended Catholic schools and graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy. In June of 1935 she married Tony Niklas (for whom the Bill Roberts Golf Clubhouse is named). He preceded her in death in 1985, after 50 years together. During her younger years, she worked at U.S.F. & G. and the Industrial Accident Department for the state. In the 1950’s, the family moved to Billings, MT where they lived for five years. There she made many new friends. In 1958 the family returned to Helena and in December of 1959 moved into a new home in Sunhaven, the third home built in that subdivision.
In 1991 she sold the family home and moved to Spring Hollow Court, being one of the first owners in that development. She always loved change and new things. In September of 2005, she sold her condo and moved to Touchmark, where she made many new friends.
Her Catholic faith remained strong throughout her life. She was a member of the Cathedral parish for many of her early years and a member of St. Mary parish for over 40 years.
Charlotte’s interests included: camping, golf, knitting, crocheting, card playing, and parties. She thoroughly enjoyed her 100th birthday party celebrated in July of 2011. She was honored as one of Montana’s centenarians in April of 2015 and every year since then. Always the devoted mom, she offered her advice and guidance for all of her family members when needed.
She is survived by her two sons, David (Colleen) Niklas of Helena and Gary (Marilyn) Niklas of Seeley Lake; five granddaughters, Pam (Bill) Watson, Tammy (Dave) Lindgren, Laura (Mike) Barrett, all of Helena; Toni Hansen of Liberty Lake, WA, and Stacy Fessenden of Helena; and eight great grandchildren: Tyler, Will, and Carson Watson; Ashley and Hunter Lindgren; Taylor Hansen; and Jamie and Anthony Fessenden.
A celebration of her life will be held at St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 12:10 p.m. A luncheon will follow in the church social center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice.
On behalf of Charlotte, her family wishes to thank the staff of St. Peter’s Hospice for their dedicated care over the past three months. To the staff at Touchmark, we can never express our gratitude and appreciation for your incredibly compassionate and loving care, and for always helping Charlotte retain her dignity. To those of you that went above and beyond, especially during her final days, your kindness will never be forgotten.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Charlotte.
Matt Diette says
My condolences to the Niklas family. I have many memories of Tony and Charlotte from years gone by; they were very dear friends of my parents, Art and Alice Diette.
Dee Rickman says
I was sorry to hear of Charlotte’s passing and send my condolences to David and Gary and their families. My parents, Bob and Tunie Barney, and our families became close friends in Billings and continued that friendship back in Helena. So many memories of camping, cards, backyard parties. Charlotte was an amazing lady and I was particularly grateful to Char and Tony for their care when our family went through a medical crises when I was about 13. I am so glad that I visited her on her 107th birthday last year especially since I am in Arizona and will be unable to attend the funeral. My best regards to her family.